Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis: Bid adieu to major osteotomies - A Review

Majority of surgical experience with distraction technology has been in orthopaedics. Early results indicate the process to be equally effective in facial skeletal reconstruction. Distraction osteogenesis has proven to be a major advance for the treatment of several congenital and acquired mandibular deformities. A review of the literature dealing with distraction osteogenesis (DO) of the mandible is provided. The type of distraction, indications, contraindications, amount of lengthening, widening, distraction rates and rhythms, latency, relapse and the design of distraction device were analyzed. Treatment protocols and success criteria for mandibular distraction are suggested on the basis of these results. However, there is still, a lack of sufficient data which necessitates need for long term studies in the future.